76ers take Game 2 in 109-92 rout as Bulls couldn't count on defense and rebounding

As emotional boosts go, the Bulls could do worse than having Derrick Rose limp out to present the honorary game ball, as the injured star did to a standing ovation before Game 2 on Tuesday night.

But motivation — whether it be Rose or fan letters from Scottie Pippen and Kyle Korver — isn't going to advance the Bulls in these best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Memory is.

Failing to draw on experience gleaned from playing 27 regular-season games without Rose, the Bulls got run out of the United Center. The 76ers evened the series with a convincing 109-92 victory and head home for Game 3 on Friday night in Philadelphia.

Playoff basketball is all about talent, matchups and execution, and the Bulls lost a lot of that first quality when Rose suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in Game 1.

They then failed on several of coach Tom Thibodeau's tenets — getting outrebounded 38-32, allowing a season-opponent-high 59 percent shooting and failing to play with pace or inside-out offensively. A dreadful second half, in which the Bulls allowed 64.3 percent shooting and 13 of the 76ers' 25 fast-break points, drew a postgame visit of encouragement from Rose.

"He's tough when he gets his jumper going," Watson said. "I have to guard him better."

The Bulls also received little from Deng and Carlos Boozer, who combined for 17 points on 7-for-22 shooting. Starters only scored 20 points in the second half, two from Deng and zero from Boozer. Deng, uncharacteristically, didn't play the final 10 minutes, 26 seconds.

Mostly thanks to Noah and John Lucas III, the Bulls led 55-47 at halftime but they had surrendered 52.8 percent shooting, an ominous sign.

The third quarter turned into the Penn Relays with the 76ers throwing down transition dunks and alley-oops following the Bulls' poor transition defense. Unlike in Game 1, the 76ers blitzed Richard Hamilton and Kyle Korver off pindowns, forcing the Bulls into bad shots and poor floor balance.

"You have to get stops to play with pace," a subdued Thibodeau said. "And you have to rebound. We usually count on defense and rebounding every night. We have to get back to that."

Noah, the emotional leader even when Rose is healthy, finished with 21 points on 10-for-11 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists. His crossover dribble and dish to Boozer during an 8-0, second-quarter run highlighted the happier times.

"He has to get his touches," Thibodeau said of Boozer's second-half goose egg. "I think they search him out. You have to give their defense credit too."

Lucas energized a sleepy crowd by scoring eight of his 15 points in the final 2 minutes, 41 seconds before halftime. He and Noah — who was 7-for-7 at halftime — scored 19 of the final 23 first-half points.

"We love challenges," Lucas said.

The Bulls failed to score for the first 2:15 of the fourth, even missing three straight free throws by Ronnie Brewer and Korver before Korver sank one.

Meanwhile, Lou Williams scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half as six 76ers hit double figures. Evan Turner, inserted as a starter along with Spencer Hawes, posted 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

"They got into the open floor, crushed us off isolation," Thibodeau said. "They were a lot more physical. We have to come back stronger."

By night's end, questions about Rose grew tiresome to players.

"Derrick is not here," Deng said. "This is a different team. Go back and watch how we won those games. It's not one guy who has to go out of character. We're a team and we'll get it done together."